Jack White Kicks Off New Tour Leg in Kansas City with Fresh Look

A two-week break from performing hasn’t slowed down Jack White one bit as he kicked off the latest leg of his tour with a sold-out show in Kansas City last night (Aug. 18). Returning to his ‘Lazaretto’ tour with a new opening act and rockabilly hair-cut, White and company put on a raucous two-hour set at the city’s historic Midland Theater.

Dressed in all black — offset by white boots — a James Dean-esque White stood out amongst his bandmates who were otherwise swallowed in grey and blue light against a vintage-looking backdrop. It was like watching this generation’s Elvis, bringing black-and-white programming from an old TV to real life. With the spotlight on White, fans quickly learned this wasn’t an old and tired re-run, though; this was White in primetime.

Opening with ‘Fell in Love With a Girl’ and wrapping up the night with ‘Seven Nation Army,’ the set was heavy with material from his White Stripes days. But it wasn’t all about the past — with songs like ‘High Ball Stepper,’ ‘Temporary Ground’ and ‘Sixteen Saltines,’ the show highlighted how White has crafted himself in the now.

Taking little time between songs, White seemed ready to play all night as several tunes were performed with extended solos from the band. The energy on-stage was matched only by the fans’ enthusiasm — just when it seemed White was on the cusp of losing the crowd, he would turn the mic toward them and without missing a single step, the fans obliged, singing the lyrics back louder than the frontman himself.

Running from side-to-side, jumping randomly off the drum riser, grabbing the mic with intense passion and purpose, rapidly checking in with each bandmate, calling audibles for the next song … White’s energy was infatuating and eye-drawing.

The show sold-out in under just a few minutes, but those who didn’t see it live had the chance to listen via local alt-rock station 96.5 The Buzz who broadcasted the entire set.

And for those that came late to the show, they missed out in a big way. Opening his first show for White, Curtis Harding is comparable to Gary Clark, Jr. — but with his bluesy and rockabilly guitar skills, he is uniquely his own artist. The very polished and smooth sound that comes from his band is second only to Harding’s rich voice. His record ‘Soul Power’ came out earlier this year and will likely gain traction as he opens for White’s remaining August gigs.

White’s next show is Aug. 20 at a sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. Get details on his remaining tour dates here.

Jack White — Kansas City’s Midland Theater

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